GPs ‘falling short’ on staffing standards
1st October, 2013
A significant number of GP practices are falling short of key standards on staffing, a report in an industry publication has warned.
What is happening?
Figures obtained by PULSE magazine suggest that around a third of the 104 GP practices inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are failing to comply with standards relating to staffing issues.
The applicable CQC standards relating to staff are broadly:
- People should be cared for by staff who are properly qualified and able to do their job;
- There should be enough members of staff to keep people safe and meet their health and welfare needs; and
- Staff should be properly trained and supervised, and have the chance to develop and improve their skills
These are basic requirements and integral to the standards set by the CQC. The figures showing that a significant proportion of surgeries are failing to meet these standards may cause some concern and failings in these areas are likely to have a knock-on impact on the ability to meet other care standards.
What action do GP practices need to take?
In order to meet these requirements, surgeries will need to ensure that they take appropriate steps to put in place effective recruitment procedures, carry out relevant checks on all staff members and ensure that they are registered with the relevant professional body, as well as ensuring their skills are maintained and developed.
How can Ward Hadaway help?
The specialist Employment Unit at Ward Hadaway regularly advises GP surgeries, and a range of other clients, on their responsibilities in relation to staff management issues and can offer support and guidance to surgeries in order to improve and maintain the standards required.
If you are interested in discussing ways in which the Employment Unit can provide you with support in order to ensure compliance with standards relating to staffing obligations and the range of retainer packages, including insurance backed packages, and pricing options available, please contact Gillian Chinhengo.
Ward Hadaway offers a comprehensive range of services to GP practices, including advice on commercial and partnership issues, contracts, property, procurement and tendering.
The firm was recently placed in the top rank of recommended law firms in the North for its healthcare expertise and for employment law advice in Legal 500, the independent guide to legal services in the UK.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
This page may contain links that direct you to third party websites. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.
